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Gossip: De Gea, Wanyama, Zaza…

Manchester United to offer David De Gea a new deal, Southampton to do the same with Victor Wanyama, and Arsenal turned down a Juventus striker.

DE GEA TO STAY AT UNITED?
I was counting down the days until 11:01pm on Monday for the conclusion to the David De Gea ‘saga’. How naive; it’s Thursday, and it still dominates the back pages.

The latest line from some is that Manchester United will offer De Gea a new deal after his move to Real Madrid collapsed. That comes from the Daily Mirror, who say ‘sources close to the 24-year-old’ believe United will offer to extend his current deal – which expires next summer – and are willing to provide a bigger weekly wage than Real were.

They add that United don’t actually expect the Spaniard to sign the new deal, but with nothing to lose between now and January, which is when De Gea can sign a pre-contract with any potential suitor, they will make a last-ditch attempt to retain their keeper.

Reports from Spain support the Mirror’s claims. Spanish journalist Josep Pedrerol told TV station La Sexta yesterday that Real no longer harboured an interested in De Gea, and that he doesn’t want to spend the season on the bench. Unfortunately for United fans, Pedrerol is a renowned bulls**ter, so there you go.

According to the Sun, De Gea is said to be furious over the collapse of his move to Madrid, and he blames United. ‘Friends’ of the Spaniard have branded the club’s conduct as ‘catastrophic’ and ‘unbelievable’.

WANYAMA TO REJECT NEW DEAL
Another wantaway star who may be offered a new contract after the closure of the transfer window is Southampton midfielder’s Victor Wanyama.

According to the Daily Mail, Saints will offer the Kenyan midfielder a fresh five-year deal after his protracted move to Spurs collapsed on deadline day. Wanyama still has two years left on his current contract.

Southampton chief Les Reed added: “We’d like to tie him down for another five years. Whether that’s possible or not, I don’t know but the opportunity is there to do that.

“Maybe it got a little bit too hyped up and maybe Victor thought there was a bit more truth in the rumours than there was.”

There is mass doubt as to whether the 24-year-old will extend his St Mary’s deal, but, in truth, it’s probably just Saints looking for an extra bargaining chip when Spurs (or someone else) comes calling in the summer.

ARSENAL TURNED DOWN JUVE STAR
That’s right; Arsenal turned down another move for a player on deadline day.

This time around it’s Juventus forward Simone Zaza. According to Italian transfer guru Gianluca Di Marzio, the Gunners made a late approach for the former Sassuolo striker. With the transfer window already shut in Italy, Juve demanded around £22million for the 24-year-old. Arsenal, understandably, baulked at said price and walked away.